Shakedown
Jack Early (Howard Duff) in "Shakedown" is a photographer who will stop at nothing to ascend to the very top of the success ladder. On the basis of his sheer perseverance, he is hired by a big newspaper, and he quickly makes a reputation for himself by persuading a notorious crime leader, Nick Palmer (Brian Donlevy), to pose for a photograph. Early chooses to bite the hand that feeds him, pitting Palmer against another mafia boss, Colton (Lawrence Tierney). He uses photographs to blackmail Colton into supplying him with a consistent salary, while he seduces the photo editor of the newspaper where he works and approaches Palmer's wife on the sly.
Released: 1950-09-01